Have you ever wondered what the list of codes, and corresponding costs, on a medical invoice relate to? Speaking from personal experience, I have spent time pouring over invoices trying to figure out what each line means and why certain costs are covered by the National Health Fund (CNS) and others are not.
But it has to be said that I'm never any the wiser having completed this exercise.
The CNS has a helpful section on its website explaining what personal convenience (CP) codes mean, to help patients understand these non-reimbursable charges.
As the website explains, doctors and dentists are permitted to charge a fee for personal convenience in some situations, so long as the patient has been informed in advance and given their authorisation.
The CNS explains that CP charges can relate to appointments, treatment, and also in the case of hospitalisation.
In the case of appointments, there are seven relevant CP codes – CP1 to CP7 – which doctors and dentists may apply.
These cover a range of circumstances, from requests made for Saturday morning appointments when the doctor does not ordinarily work on this day (code CP2), to telephone conversations with the doctor that last more than 10 minutes (code CP7).
CP charges relating to treatment are applicable only to dentists, under the code CP8.
Finally, the CNS explains that CP charges can be applied in the context of hospitalisation in a single room (known as first class) if the patient chooses to stay in such a room and it is not medically necessary to be in a first class room.
In this case, doctors involved in the patient’s treatment can add a 66% surcharge to the rates applied to medical services and consultations given to patients in second class. This surcharge is not covered by the CNS.
As the CNS explains, CP codes must be included on the same invoice as the other services, and a specific CP code must be listed.
It is worth noting that there are no fixed rates for these personal convenience charges, but doctors and dentists must use "tact and moderation".
